Diamond Watch 
Fact Sheet 
8/19/2022 
 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8264/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSIPNF

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Priest Lake Ranger District

Phone: (208) 557-8813

Location: 5.5 miles west of Nordman, ID in Pend Oreille County, WA 
Size: 701 acres               Personnel: 34                 Containment: 0%
Incident Commander: ICT4 Hirst 

Current Status: The Diamond Watch Fire, detected on the evening of July 14th, was started by lightning and is visible from ID Highway 57 near Nordman ID in the Priest Lake area  Drivers are cautioned not to stop on the highway in the fire area.  The fire is located 5.5 miles due west of Nordman, ID, and is burning mostly on the south aspect of Diamond Peak in Pend Oreille County, WA.  Recent growth was mapped with an infrared flight and the fire is currently at 701 acres, most of the heat continues to be on the south slope of the ridge.  

Planned Actions: The fire has reached containment lines on parts of the southeast and southwest portion of the fire on Forest Service Road (FSR) 308 and parts of the northwest portion of the fire just southeast of Petit Lake on FSR 657.   The forest roads surrounding the fire are being used as containment lines and have been reinforced with the clearing of vegetation from heavy machinery paralleling the roads.  Fire crews are utilizing type 6 fire engines and standing ready to suppress the fire as it reaches the containment lines.  FSR 308 is being used as the southern and western containment lines and FSR 657 has been reinforced on the east with the use of a D5 bulldozer connecting FSR 308 to Diamond Creek.  Diamond Creek will act as a natural barrier keeping the fire contained on the northern edge in addition to FSRs 311 and 657.  Fire crews are nearing completion of the western containment line as heavy machinery complete clearing vegetation and fuel from the side of FSR 308.

Objectives: The safety of firefighters and the public is the primary objective.  Fire managers are using a confine strategy, with management action points in place to quickly respond to changes in the fire.  Suppression activities are occurring where they have the greatest probability of success while limiting exposure to firefighting resources. 

Closures & Evacuations: An area and road closure is in place, effective for Forest Service Roads 311, 308 and 1362H and the area in the vicinity of the Diamond Watch Fire.  Petit Lake and its associated dispersed campsites are within the area closure.  FSR 1362 remains open.  This closure is for public safety due to heavy equipment operations and wildfire effects of the Diamond Watch Fire, and prohibits all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area (see Closure Map).  The best access to the Priest Lake area from the Colville National Forest will be through Newport, WA via US Highway 2 north and Priest River, ID via ID Highway 57 north.  There are NO evacuations currently in place.  However, when living in fire prone areas it is recommended that all area residents have an evacuation plan in place including having all important documents, pictures, prescriptions, and pets gathered up and easily transportable.  Residents of Bonner County, ID or Pend Oreille, WA can visit https://www.nixle.com or text home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts.